Algeria imposes visa requirements on Moroccans, citing “Zionist espionage”

Algeria announced Thursday it will impose visa requirements on Moroccan citizens, accusing them of involvement in criminal activities, including "Zionist espionage" AFP reports. This marks a further deterioration in relations between the two neighbors and regional rivals. According to Algeria's official news agency, Morocco has engaged in actions threatening Algeria’s stability, including deploying "Zionist agents" and facilitating organized crime and trafficking within Algerian borders.

The announcement follows the recent arrest of seven people, including four Moroccans, in the Algerian city of Tlemcen, accused of being part of a spy ring. Algeria severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in August 2021 after Morocco normalized relations with Israel. The two countries have a longstanding disputes over the Western Sahara and alleged Moroccan support for the Berber separatist movement, MAK, in Algeria. Despite their border being closed for 30 years, Algerians and Moroccans have not previously needed visas to visit each other’s countries.